Alex Gomez

Chief Executive Officer

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I recently made the move to Newark, NJ. My journey has been far from perfect. I’ve navigated life's challenges from childhood through young adulthood, often learning the hard way through my own mistakes. This is the truth that motivates me most. I deeply understand that everyone needs a place to land safely and the right support system to thrive.

My commitment to serving others began during my time in the Air Force. The transition from military to civilian life can be challenging and after my service, I received crucial assistance from the nonprofit organization Helmets To Hardhats, which helped me secure a job as an electrician.

Furthermore, with my own parents now in their upper 70s, I have gained a deep, personal

understanding of the unique needs of our older population. Witnessing their journey has shown me the vital importance of providing accessible activities, services and wellness assistance for seniors, ensuring they remain valued and engaged members of the community.

These personal experiences deeply connect with the core purpose of the Newark Community Center, where we believe a strong community is built on intergenerational respect, shared opportunities and community support.

My past experiences both my stumbles and the support I received from organizations like Helmets to Hardhats and my understanding of senior care are exactly why I am dedicated to giving back through the Newark Community Center. I want to ensure that children in our community have the essential resources and a safe haven they can rely on, helping them avoid the pitfalls I encountered.

Now serving in Newark, I am dedicated to being a "community connector." I aim to help build bridges between our seniors (providing the kind of activities and wellness support I want for my own parents), veterans (offering the career support I once needed) and youth to create a more resilient and inclusive society where every individual is valued and supported.

Adell Harris

Director of Operations

Adell Harris serves as the Director of Operations at the Newark Community Center, where her role is to support the vision and leadership of the center by helping build strong systems, structure and day to day operations.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Adell grew up in a New York City housing development in a single parent household as one of seven children. Her early life experiences shaped her understanding of how important stability, guidance and access to resources are for individuals and families. As a young woman, she also experienced housing insecurity firsthand while staying in a private shelter for pregnant women, reinforcing the impact that safe spaces and supportive environments can have during critical moments.

Adell is a mother of three daughters, two of whom are college students and her lived experience as a parent informs her commitment to education, opportunity and community support. She attended Bronx

College and has since built experience as an entrepreneur and author, managing projects, organizing workflows and helping ideas move from concept to execution.

She also has experience volunteering with youth focused programs in Brooklyn, where she supported students through mentorship, academic guidance and skill building activities. These experiences strengthened her belief in collaboration, early intervention and the importance of having trusted community spaces.

With a background in design, research and technology, Adell brings an operational mindset focused on organization, coordination and sustainability. Her goal is to help support the development of programs and services in alignment with the center’s mission, ensuring they are practical, accessible and responsive to community needs.

Adell believes community centers thrive when leadership, staff and residents work together toward a shared purpose. In her role, she is committed to supporting that collaboration and helping build a strong foundation for long term impact in Newark.

917.791.4451 AGomez@NewarkCommunityCenter.org

201.305.9462 AHarris@NewarkCommunityCenter.org